Petyr shakes his head and waves his hand. "I'm in no rush and have no prospects, though it's better to be safe than sorry. Just one dose for an emergency ought be plenty. It's more likely that we'll be in the market for more martial wares."
When Jominda reveals that she is an alumna of the University of Lepidstadt, a great grin stretches across Petyr's face. He turns to showcase a scar on his left cheek. "I'm a proud Malkenclaw," he says, referencing the dueling fraternity he belonged to during his time at the University. "I'm taking a break from my dissertation now. When did you graduate?"
She nods her head, before digging out a small leather pouch for Petyr.
"That'll be a gold piece, darling."
"Ah, a Malkenclaw. I should have known, honestly, with all that bravado. I graduated around two years ago, was a Tangeletti myself." she answers, procruing a silver amulet from beneath her shirt depicting the skull of an obviously large deer.
"Martial wares, you mentioned? Such as what? The blacksmith is the only one that might fit that description in such a backwater town such as Ravengro. I've heard it was quite the bustling town, before that unpleasant accident."
Petyr fishes out a golden coin from his coinpurse and slides it across the counter with a smile. Bravado indeed! "Tangeletti!" he exclaims. "I don't think we ever dueled personally, but I wonder if we crossed paths somewhere." He considers going through a list of his classes, but knows that 1) it would take too long, and 2) it would be an embarrassment if they had taken a class together that Petyr had ended up skipping half of.
"Martial meaning some flasks of alchemist's fire or acid. One hopes that they are unnecessary, but I'm sure you know well the unfortunateness that is running afoul of a nest of rats unprepared."
Petyr waits a beat before bringing up the true reason for his visit to Jominda. "Beyond shopping, however, I had hoped to find out if you needed any help around the store. My companions and I will be visiting Ravengro for the next month, and I aim to keep my mind as sharp as my blade, if I can."
[ooc]So sorry, it’s been a busy week, must have missed the post. Apologies![\ooc]
”I wasn’t much of a duelist myself. Much more suited to the ways of the forest and alchemy, as you can see. I don’t think many Tangeletti were inclined towards those more martial ways of life.” she says, noting your armaments.
”I think I have some more combat-oriented elixirs and flasks around here, you never know what might be around these parts.” she bends beneath her stand and brings out a crate that has 5 acid and 7 alchemist’s fire for sale, at normal prices.
She seems excited to hear you’re staying for an extended time, as her smile beams when she hears it.
”Oh it’s good to hear our new visitors will be here longer than most. Always a good sign for things to come. As far as work around the store goes, beyond mundane herb collecting runs in the outskirts of town, I’m afraid I don’t have too much at the moment. You’re staying at the prof-…Kendra’s place, right? If I find anything I know where to find you!”
Petyr nods appreciatively at the crate that Jominda brings out. With permission, he holds one up and holds it up to the light to get a look at the consistency and viscosity. "Wonderful!" he exclaims. "I'll scrounge up some more coin and be back for some of these soon. And yes, we're staying with Kendra if you do think of any ways that I can help."
He smiles in response, knowing that gathering herbs was not a particular specialty of his. But he makes up his mind to keep his eye out, just in case, as they went outside of the town limits.
"By your leave, then, Jominda. It was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to seeing more of you." Petyr bows his head, raises an eyebrow at Andrei and Pace, and then leaves the store to go make a similar acquaintance of Alendru Ghoroven. Knowing the more arcane-oriented types, he somehow doubts that this meeting would be quite as flirtatious. But one never knows.
"Well, you know where I'll be as well, then. What was your name again? Not sure I caught it." she asks, returning the crate to its spot beneath the stand.
The Unfurling Scroll isn't an outdoor open stall like the shops at the center of town. Instead, it acts as a combination town school and magic item shop, as the retired wizard turned teacher Alendru attempts to imprint some sort of knowledge onto the town's kids.
At the moment you enter the Scroll, however, the handful of kids and their mentor are enjoying a hearty tune. The source is not readily apparent, but you soon notice a lute floating around in the air around Alendru.
"Ah, children, it appears we have visitors! How may I help you three fine gentlemen today?"
Petyr grins and taps his temple absentmindedly. "You didn't catch it because I didn't say it. Petyr. Petyr Kindler." He reaches his hand out to shake hers before going on his way towards the Unfurling Scroll.
---
At the school, Petyr's eyes widen to see the floating lute. Perhaps he had been mistaken and Alendru was more of a bard than a wizard. Yet both could be quite capable instructors in the arcane arts!
Petyr bows his head and wishes that he had some sort of entertaining trick to offer the students. He wasn't ever quite sure what to do around children and had a poor sense of judging their age and interests, at least in the moment. A good story, though, whether read or told: that was a powerful tool! That was what Aunt Ailson had said. But Petyr wasn't hired to do that yet. He comes up from his respectful bow with a smile.
"Master Ghoroven, it is a pleasure! Please, I don't wish to interrupt a lesson. Continue, and we will join with you when you are not teaching."
"It's nice to meet you Petyr Kindler." she smiles at you as she speaks "Do be sure to visit me again!"
Whether or not she recognizes the name, you cannot tell.
"Why, of course. We shall continue with the lesson, children. We only have a few minutes left anyway." the older teacher said.
"As I was saying before our guests arrived, the key to unlocking any sort of magic you might have within you is emotion. The way you hold yourself shapes how the world around you responds to it. See how I am channeling my magic through the lute. It h-"
His explanation of the music is suddenly interrupted by the sound of three of the classroom suddenly exploding as just as many creatures burst through them. They look like engorged mosquitos, around the size of a small housecat, with rust red chitin and a long sucking tube protruding from their mouths.
Alendru is up first after their surprise round to enter the building, and he will take this chance to start a bardic performance, crying out in surprise.
"Help! Defend the children!"
Andrei notices, while looking at the stirges and listening to the music that they almost seem to be swaying back and forth in tune with said music. A few seconds watching the flying beasts confirms it, their wings and movements most certainly are weirdly choreographed to the tune of the music coming from the flute.
The stirges move to attack the closest targets, with one moving to attack Alendru and two moving towards kids scrambling around the benches.
All three latch onto their targets, and while Alendru is more composed, the two kids struck scream even louder than they were as the stirges drain some of their blood.
Petyr grits his teeth. "Stirges!" he cries. "End them before they suck the childrens' blood!"
He stays behind the southeasternmost pew, drawing his rapier and closing with one of the horrid beasts. He stabs out at the foul, overgrown mosquito.
He tries to deftly stab through the rust rid chitin before it can do any damage to the child. "Run to the door, little one," he says in an attempt to be reassuring, though he is sure that the exchange of blood is anything but calming.
Drawing his rapier, Pace races to the other child and slashes at his parasitic attachment.
For
Andrei’s hand instinctively goes to his blade as the stirges crash into the room, but something seems wrong about the whole situation. Why weren’t there any cries outside at the creatures’ approach? As big as they were for bugs, how would creatures that small burst through a wall? Why are they moving in sync with the music.
He draws his blade as he moves to the closest creature, but he moves tentatively and says, ”something’s not right…” When he arrives, instead of swinging his blade he reaches out his empty hand and tries to pass it through what he suspects might be an illusion.
"Why are you trying to pet it?" Petyr asks incredulously.
Petyr's attack, driven by his anger at the stirges, completely squashes the one he strikes. It basically is splatted across the floor as the kid runs away from the situation.
Pace strikes at another of them, landing a solid blow, and it detaches from the body it had stuck to then turns to face him insticntively.
Unfortunately for Andrei, his hand does press upon the outer carapace of the stirge he was trying to disbelieve. Whatever is wrong with their behavior, it isn't that they are illusions.
"Children, get out of here! Go home, we will take care of these flying pests."
Alendru struggles with the stirge on him, and manages to pull it off in time to continue his performance, aiding the fight against these creatures.
Pace swings again, hoping to make short work of the threat.
for
Petyr flicks the smear of blood off his blade and starts dashing up the right side of the building. As he nears the end of the benches, he swivels his ankle and kicks off to close the distance and come to Alendru's aid.
Andrei scowls at his own miscalculation. He swipes at the creature again, this time using his blade, as he should have the first time.
Both of the attacks from Pace and Andrei miss, and Alendru continues his performance before taking a swipe at the one between him and Petyr with his shortsword. His strike is succesful at finishing it off.
"Thanks for the help!" he calls out to Petyr.
The stirge attacks again, this time on Pace.
It successfully attaches, and drains 1 Contitution as you feel it pull on your blood.
Petyr nods at Alendru, wiping a bit of the stirge's blood from his cheek before seeing Pace attacked. "Bloody things," he curses under his breath before continuing his momentum and charging down to join his companions.
As he reaches Pace he tries carefully to skewer the stirge, but his path has been wild. He stops just short, planting his feet and stabbing out with only a bit of a flourish.
Pace winces in pain as the thing latches on, but strikes out again anyway.
For
Pace and Petyr manage to finish the last one off together, watching it fall to the floor lifeless.
Alendru seems to finally relax with the stirges dead and leans back against his desk, showing a little bit of his age.
"I...where did they come from? Thanks for your help, I don't know if I would have been able to take them on my own."
He takes a quick breath before continuing. "Now, who do I have the pleasure of being rescued by today? I've heard of newcomers in town but haven't had the chance to introduce myself yert."
Petyr wrinkles his nose as the last stirge dies, flicking the blood (Pace's blood most likely) on the floor. He thinks better of the undignified action, but recognizes that it's already done, for better or worse, and sheathes his blade. He turns around and bows his head again, more shallowly this time. His manners have all but disappeared in the face of the threat, even if it is apparently gone.
"Petyr," he says, looking around at the carnage with his brow furrowed. "Kindler." He seems distracted as his eyes scan the room, looking both for the apparent source of the strange attack and, more importantly, the safety of the children. "Are the children okay?"
Pace takes stock of his wounds before looking over the others. Poking at one of the corpses with his blade he asks,
"How do such large creatures go undetected for long enough to get all the way to the school? In the middle of the day?"
Andrei scowls at his own failures as he lowers, but does not sheathe, his weapon. "Andrei," is all he bothers to say in response to the man's question, but its clear his grumpy attention has turned to the old teacher.
something still isn't right... and he seems like the most likely source...
"I...I think the kids are fine. A few got scraped up and bitten, but I'll take them to the chapel and get them fixed right up. As soon as I can gather them all together, that is."
Alendru is bewildered, and still somewhat shaken from the encounter. Andrei can tell his confusion as to where the stirge came from is genuine, he has no idea why they are here.
"Nice to meet all of you officially, although I wish it had been under better circumstances, obviously."
Petyr nods and seems to relax a bit. "It's good to meet you as well. We would be happy to help you gather them up." The duelist notes the site where Alendru took an injury. Pace as well. "We might need to go back to the chapel, too: you included Master Ghoroven. It would do no good for any of us to come down with an illness. Who knows where those things have been?"
Petyr puts on a brighter face and encourages the others to start looking and acting a bit more child-friendly. "As for the circumstances, since the lesson has been shattered, I had hoped to engage with you on why we dropped by in the first place." "We're visiting from Lepidstadt, and I'm taking a sabbatical from my formal studies at the University. But as an academic, I hoped to continue to keep my skills sharp. Might you have any opportunities for a guest lecture with the students?"
Satisfied that the danger has indeed passed, Pace's manners seem to return.
"I am Pace Greenhour, servant of Pharasma. I am pleased that we were able to assist you in the defense of the children. Has anything like this ever happened before?"
Andrei’s scowl remains but he nods to Petyr and sets to work gathering the children while the other man chats with the teacher.
Alendru is glad to see the strangers' care about his children and his wounds, and he smiles warmly.
"That sounds like a good idea, I'll stop by the chapel after I'm done cleaning up my shop. A guest lecture, you say?" he seems to take the idea into consideration. "Whatever could you mean by that?"
"Nice to meet you too, Pace, it is good to see one of your faith around here. Always useful in one way or another. No, nothing like this has ever happened in town before. There's always the stories of things happening in the outskirts of town, as Ustalav is full of sinister occasions." he says, shaking his head.
"I am thankful for your help in keeping our children safe, they are our future as I am sure you are aware."
Petyr blinks a little bit in confusion before remembering himself and returning a smile to his face. "A guest lecture, as in providing the children with another perspective, perhaps on a topic with which you are less familiar or would like to collaborate."
The young Kindler tries to ensure that his body language, facial expression, and tone of voice converge to convey that he is not trying to call into question Alendru's bona fides or base of knowledge, but rather considers them at least equals, if not Alendru being clearly above him due to age and experience.
"Ah, you meant for you to speak to them, not for me to travel elsewhere. Of course! I wouldn't mind you sharing your experiences either, don't you worry!"
"I look forward to it, although it may have to be at a more appropriate time. I think the lessons might be over for today." he says, his face showing worry.
Petyr smiles genuinely. "As a lowly graduate assistant, I'm in no position to invite you to lecture at Lepidstadt or anywhere else. But I am always looking for something to put on my resume. We'll be in town for at least the next month, staying with Ms. Lorrimor. So when you have an idea, please do send for me."
Petyr spies a child trying to hide behind a stall, knees curled up in something like a fetal position. "We took care of the beasties," he says, reaching out a hand. "It's safe to come out now. We're all gathering at the Temple. Will you come with us?"
Realizing that he never found out how many children he was seeking, Andrei gathers as many as he can find and leads them to Petyr and their teacher. “Here you go,” he announces with a cursory gesture towards the pack when they return.
"Ah yes, of course. I'll see when the best time for a guest lecture is, and I'll get back to you." he seems genuinely interested in having a new perspective on things, eager to both learn and teach.
"Oh, thank you, thank you." Alendru says as you gather the children. It is quite obvious that he has aged past his adventuring years, and is still dealing with the shock of the surprise encounter. Once the kids are gathered, he takes time to speak to them and check up on them.
"Is everyone alright? Anyone seriously injured? These lovely young men are heading over to the temple, and anyone that was bit needs to go with them."
He speaks to you once more before you head out.
"I have two here that were bit by the stirges, would you mind taking them with you to the chapel? I'll stay here to watch over the rest of the children while you do so."
"Of course," Petyr says. He starts to over to the kids before glancing at Pace. He was probably actually better with kids, though Petyr could make do. "You make sure to come to the chapel later as well."
Petyr tries to see if the children are the age where they find comfort from holding an adult's hand or not. Everything he knows about interacting with children is more from observation than experience (at least on the adult side). The Kindler and Vladuca families had relied more on the hired help to provide for their children--for the Kindlers while they were off adventuring and for the Vladucas while they were busy with the business of the Court. And Petyr had always been mature, so it wasn't clear how a normal child in a normal town would behave.
Nonetheless, he wishes Alendru well and begins marching back off down the street with the children in tow, back to the chapel that they had left not long ago. At this rate, they would have little time to do much before it was time to the Restlands for the evening errand.
Most of the children do seem as if they appreciate the comfort of an adult helping them, and are calmed by you doing so. Making your way to the chapel is easy, and they don't provide any problems.
It's a few hours after lunchtime when you get there, but the father is still in. After hearing your story about what happened at the schoolhouse, he doesn't take any time in tending to your wounds.
"This one's on me, don't you worry about that at all. I'm so glad our new visitors in town are so helpful. Awfully worrying to hear about such an event happening this close."
Petyr makes the sign of the spiral both as he enters the building and as Father Grimburrow seems to warm to them.
"So then I take it that this sort of thing is uncommon? The Professor, the cat, the stirges. It seems an awful lot for a small place."
Park reviews the information that the university had provided when they'd thanked him but firmly directed his departure. Professor Lorrimor had died and the funeral/burial was scheduled.... Well, that was crap. There was no way to get there in time. But he could head to the estate and at least ask what all he had missed. He already had his possessions packed. Not a very big package after all. He only owned one instrument, his tambourine, and it was carefully packed and stored in his backpack.
The trip to Ravengro wasn't terribly dangerous, traveling with a small caravan heading south. It wasn't far from the Belkzen border so there were always groups wanting capable swordsmen, and his music didn't hurt. Arriving in town and asking about the Professor he quickly understood that there were many that weren't happy about something. He was able to charm answers out of a couple of people though and soon made his way to the estate. Knocking on the door he introduced himself. While he had several questions he didn't want to trouble any of the family.
"Hello. I am Park Song, recently a student at University of Lepidstadt. I wasn't aware but apparently the university was allowing my attendance due to the Professor. They called me into the office and informed me of his death and directed me to attend here, and to depart the grounds. Sadly the notice was delayed so I was unable to attend on time."
"You must be so tired from your journey, come in and get some food. It's always good to see a friend of Petros." Kendra then mentions they'll be back shortly, and were only in town for a little while.
"How well did you know the professor? Fairly well?"
Coming back from their explorations in town, the two companions arrive back to their temporary home to find a newcomer sitting in the parlor with Kendra, enjoying a drink with the group's patron.
"Ah, my friends, welcome back. We have a new arrival I've been entertaining as we wait for you to return."
Park gladly accepts the invitation. "Fairly well? Actually I wish I'd known him better. But isn't that the failing of existence, to look back on our lives on the mistakes that we've made? But it's better to look at our successes as well as those of our friends. I happened to have been at the right place at the right time and did what I could to help. That was how I met the Professor."
He enjoys a couple bites from his lunch and a drink before continuing. "The professor gave me the opportunity to learn, a bit more about the world and more importantly about what I could do with my life. I didn't get a traditional education at the university, but I learned a great deal more about music and performance, and the magic I could wield with it. It was the best couple of years of my life. I hope it made me a better man."
Coming back to the Lorrimor estate after an eventful morning, Petyr is hungry for some lunch. He doesn't want to continually impose on his hostess, but breakfast that morning had been very welcome.
As Kendra informs Petyr that they have another guest, he raises his eyebrows and looks over to the young, blonde man. "Machete Boy," he says dryly, his lip turning up into a light smirk. "You're late. But you made it, so that's something."
Petyr takes off his shoes and goes into the kitchen to wash his hands before sitting down at the table.
Hearing the phrase, 'Machete Boy', Park stares at the man for a few seconds. He notices the Lepidstadt scar on his left cheek and nods remembering when he got his own. He stands with proper courtesy. "I suppose I earned that name. Although 'Boy'? I'm hardly a child."
He waits for the newcomer to return before taking his seat again. "Yes, I am late. My notice was delayed. Once I received it I came as quickly as I could safely travel here. I prefer my name, Park Song, to Machete Boy if you don't mind." He returns the smile, trying to keep it friendly.
"What have I missed, other than obviously attending the services for the Professor?"
Petyr's smirk turns into a grin. "Oh, of course; Machete Boy was just what we all called you. After your," he nods to the jungle-clearing weapon at the bard's side, "Performance. But right: Park. I'm Petyr Kindler." Petyr motions a thumb behind him towards the paladin. "That's Pace Greenhour, and--" the thumb rotates towards broad-shouldered, patchy-bearded Varisian man, "--that's Andrei Markescu."
The two hadn't had any classes together that Petyr recalled, as they were separated by several years, but he probably wouldn't have remembered too much if they had. But he was an Associate of the Professor's and had been summoned here as well, so...he had a right to know what he had walked into.
"As for missed? Well..." Petyr's expression turns grim. "We have reason to believe that the Professor's death was neither timely nor accidental, but rather quite intentional. He was looking into the activities of an organization known as The Whispering Way. Necromancers, but worse." He reaches into his pack and retrieves a journal for Park to look at. "We're trying to pick up where he left off."
Glad for the grin and the explanation Park returns in. "My musical instruction taught me that words can be weapons sometimes at least as effective as blades. I was also informed that taking retribution with a... limerick tune would be grounds for dismissal. So I mostly ignored the teasing. It died a quick enough death."
The humor was dismissed by the details Petyr provided and Park left his seat without a thought to examine the journal. Initially he starts with just a quick scan, but the details force him to slow down to study the wording of the phrases.
He pauses to mutter, possibly to himself, "So they seek undeath rather than living a good life and striving to better themselves. Too many fools in this world!"
"I'm not familiar with a couple of the things mentioned. I assume from the wording that Harrowstone was a prison, that burned down, probably with most or all of the prisoners and possibly some of the workers locked in? And the ruins were never razed or rebuilt. There are possibly some restless spirits there, and likely quite mean considering what they were in life. That would be hard to handle as normal weapons don't help anyone against such creatures. Have you been to the Restlands to figure out what the 'tools' are that the Professor mentions? And, have you contacted the Church of Pharasma for the list of names of those that died in the fire?"
Realizing his rudeness he turns from the journal to the others of the party. "Pace, Andrei, I'm sorry for my lack of manners. I had thought I was just here for a funeral, that I was late in attending. Please allow me to assist in the investigation of the Professor's death. I didn't know him well enough, but did see him as a good man. Judging by this," He taps the journal. "perhaps much more."